Adults who have lost a tooth are not rare at all. Nearly every adult has lost at least one tooth before the age of 40. While losing one tooth is usually not a cause for concern, losing several teeth is. Here are some warning signs for tooth loss you should watch for.
Why Do Adults Suffer a Tooth Loss?
One of the most common ways adults suffer tooth loss is due to a dentist removing a tooth. Often, dentists remove teeth due to overcrowding. Teenagers and adults who have small mouths may have no room for their final molars to erupt in the back of their mouths. Overcrowded teeth can lead to periodontal disease and cavities because it can be difficult to brush and floss severely crowded teeth. Also, many teenagers and young adults have pain due to their wisdom teeth, the third set of molars, not coming in correctly. Sometimes, these teeth become infected and have to be removed.
Adults can also lose teeth when they have a traumatic injury, such as a blow to the face during a car accident or during participation in a team sport. However, the most common reason adults lose teeth is because of tooth decay, or gum disease, which is preventable.
Why Tooth Loss Is a Big Deal
Because most adults have between 28 and 32 teeth, you may think that losing one tooth, especially if it is not visible, is not a big deal. However, if you lose a tooth and you do not allow our dentist to replace it with a prosthetic tooth, it can cause problems for your mouth. Your other teeth may shift to try and fill the missing tooth gap. Also, your body senses that a tooth is missing and will take bone from your jaw to use somewhere else, which can lead to a sunken facial appearance over time.
What Should I Do If I Lose a Tooth?
If you have recently lost a tooth, your best option is to make an appointment to come in and visit our dentist. A dentist can not only tell you why you lost a tooth but can give you recommendations for replacing the missing tooth. Also, if your tooth loss is due to a cavity or gum disease, our dentists can recommend ways to help prevent further tooth loss.
Adults who have lost a tooth are not rare at all. Nearly every adult has lost at least one tooth before the age of 40. While losing one tooth is usually not a cause for concern, losing several teeth is. Here are some warning signs for tooth loss you should watch for.